Painter&#39;s edging tool



L. SALIKA Dec. 6, H966 PAINTER S EDGING TOOL :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 6, 1

INVENTOR.

L. SALKA Dec. X966 PAINTER'S EDGING TOOL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 6,1964 YVENTOR. 66a l arm/0 V/Z SLY/k6? IWGENT Dec. 6, 1966 1.. SALKA392899236 PAINTER'S EDGING TOOL Filed July 6, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NVENTOR.

HGENT United States Patent 3,289,236 PAINTERS EDGING TOOL Ludovit Salka,Botsford, C0nn., assignor of one-fourth to Abraham Reback, one-fourth toGeorge R. Wright, both of Stamford, Conn., and one-fourth to David M.Kantor, White Plains, N.Y.

Filed July 6, 1964, Ser. No. 380,289 8 Claims. (Cl. 15-210) Thisinvention relates to paint applicators, and more particularly to edgingapplicators intended to facilitate the application of paint to wall andceiling corner areas and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved paintersedging tool which speeds up and makes more easy the applying of paint toborder areas, ceiling and wall corner junctures, molding bordered wallsurfaces, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved paintersedging tool as above set forth, which requires but a minimum of skilland enables a professional type, quality job to be done quickly, even byrelatively unskilled personnel.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved corner andborder paint applicator as characterized, which eliminates the necessityfor cleaning the paint applying element and which instead provides anespecially economical, disposable painting element which is discardedafter one period of use, thereby enabling clean and fresh elements to beutilized whenever a new paint job is started, or whenever a new paintingperiod is undertaken.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved painterstool in accordance with the foregoing, wherein the replacement of thepainting element may be very easily and quickly effected, such operationrequiring essentially no skill or mechanical ability.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improvedpainters edging accessory or tool of the replaceable element type,wherein the disposable elements are light in weight, small and compact,thereby enabling large numbers of the same to be easily stored andcarried in a small space. This makes it possible to readily take care ofthe requirements of large scale painting operations.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a paintersedging accessory having the aforementioned advantages, and which isespecially reliable in use, particularly under adverse or exactingconditions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved paintersedging tool as above set forth wherein drips or quantities of paintrunning from the applicator element are conveniently collected and madeinstantly available for re-use and application to the wall surfaces,without mess or bother, and without the necessity for exercising specialtidiness to prevent paint spots or marks on adjoining surfaces.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in the provision of animproved painters edging tool as outlined, which is especially easy toclean as regards the holder portion which is non-disposable.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification similar characters ofreference are used to designate like components throughout the severalviews, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of improved painters edgingtool as provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section greatly enlarged, taken on the line 2,32, 3, of FIG. 1 and illustrating one form of disposable paint applyingelement having a bristlecarrying sheet of cloth.

FIG. 2a is a fragmentary section on the order of FIG.

ice

2 but showing an alternative bristle-carrying sheet of plastic.

FIG. 3 is a view like that of FIG. 2 which may be considered as taken onthe same section line 2, 32, 3 of FIG. 1 but illustrating another formof paint applying element.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view enlarged, taken on the line 44 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a painters edging tool constitutinganother modified form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the edging paintapplicator of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 but illustrating anothermodification of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation illustrating the method of usingthe improved edging tool of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a disposable and replaceable paintapplying element as provided by the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4 the improved painters edging tool showntherein has much the form of an ordinary household dustpan. The toolcomprises a holder member or sheet 20 having a paint-solvent-impervious,substantially flat and smooth backing surface 22 and a thin or sharpelongate straight-edge portion 24. Carried by the holder member 20 onthe flat and smooth surface 22 thereof is a disposable flat sheet-likepaint applying element designated generally by the numeral 26, as seenin FIGS. 1 and 2.

The holder 20 is provided with a handle 28 projecting from that one ofits edges which is opposite to the sharp straight edge portion 24 saidhandle passing through an upwardly extended flange 30 of the holder,which flange is continued around the side edges of the holder where ittapers to a narrow Width adjacent the sharp edge 24. The taperingportions of the flange 30 are designated 32, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The holder member 20 as well as the flanges 30, 32 and the handle 28 maybe advantageously constructed of sheet metal, and when so constitutedthere is provided, in accordance with the invention, a plastic tape orstrip cover 34, preferably of folded shape, which is adhered to thesharp edge portion 24 of the holder 20 for the purpose of presentingoutwardly a smooth plastic surface which is not likely to discolor ormark wall surfaces with which it comes in contact. The plastic tape 34may be of vinyl or Mylar composition or any other suitable solventresistant or insoluble plastic substance.

In accordance with the present invention the disposable paint applyingelement 26 is very economically con stituted and especially arranged inconjunction with the holder 20 to enable the element to be easilyapplied to the holder prior to use of the painting tool and as easilyremoved for discarding subsequent to the said use. The construction asprovided by the invention comprises a paintsolvent-impervious barrierextending throughout the area of the disposable element 26 and apaint-solventresistant pressure-sensitive adhesive which secures thepaint-applying element 26 to the holder 10 said adhesive being disposedbetween the impervious barrier of the element and the smooth backingsurface 22 of the holder 20 and having large continuous areas of contactwith both the backing surface and the barrier.

The solvent-resistant pressuresensitive adhesive is indicated at 36 inFIG. 2 and the solvent-impervious barrier comprises an impregnated clothbase 38 (FIG. 2), or a smooth surfaced plastic-sheet base 39 (FIG. 2a)of the applying element such base having fibers 40 projecting from oneside and having its other side in intimate contact with thepressure-sensitive adhesive 36. The ad- '3? '3 hesive 36 may be of aknown composition as for example from the class comprising an uncured orsemi-cured rubber base mixed with thermosetting resins (syntheticpolymers), or an acrylic base mixed with said resins or polymers. Thecloth base 38 is impregnated with an epoxy or other solvent-imperviousplastic or plastic-like or rubber-like substance and renders theclothbase nonporous to the extent where paintand paint solvent will notreadily penetrate the base and act on the major port'ion s' of thepressure-sensitive adhesive 36.

. The epoxy plastic barrier maybe in the form of a surface coating onthe underside of the clothbase 38, or it may partially or whollypermeate the cloth base as may new be readily understood, theirnportantfunction being to retard or pr'event any dissolving action on thepressurese'nsitive' adhe'sive 36 due to the presence of the paint or 6fthe solvents contained in the paint.

It will be understood that the smooth surface 22 of the metal holder aswell as the smooth surface of the plastic strip 34, having intimatecontact with the pressuresensitive adhesive 36 over a large area,effectively restricts or' minimizes'- penetration of the paint andsolvents cont-ained therein to under-areas of the pressure-sensitiveadhesive 36 as viewed in FIG. 2.

4 I have found that by such organization it is not essential that thepressure-sensitive adhesive 36 be wholly resist-ant to the action of thepaint or solvents contained therein, and that even though such paint andsolvents are in contact with edge portions of the pressure-sensitiveadhesive coating this will not impair the operativeness or reliabilityof the edging tool; instead, the paint applying element 26 will remainfirmly secured to the holder 29 for a period of use of at least 24 hoursor more.

Instead of the pressure-sensitive adhesive being in the form of acoating as indicated at 36 in FIG. 2, it may be in the form of adouble-faced tape, such as the tape 36a illustrated in FIG. 3.Double-faced pressure-sensitive tape having adhesive on both sides isreadily available commercially. The tape 36a would be part of thedisposable paint-applying element 26a shown in FIG. 3, just as thepressure-sensitive adhesive coating 36 in FIG. 2 is part of thepaint-applying element 26 in this figure.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the cloth base 38a would also include abarrier or impregnant of epoxy or similar impervious resin, to minimizethe penetration of paint or paint solvent through the base to thepressure-sensitive tape 36a. In both FIGS. 2 and 3, thepressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between a barrier of thedisposable paint-applying element on the one hand, and the smoothsurface 22 of the holder 20 on the other hand, and in each instance thepressure-sensitive adhesive would initially constitute part of thepaint-applying element, prior to such element being applied and securedto the holder 2i FIG. illustrates the paint-applying element 26a per se,comprising the impregnated cloth base 3351, the pressuresensitivedouble-faced tape 36a and in addition a protective paper cover 42 ofadhesion-resistant paper or paperlike composition.

It will be understood that the disposable paint-applying elements 26,26a may be readily economically fabricated, being of a nature enablingthem to be easily discarded and replaced by new elements each time thata new painting operation is started. This obviates the necessity forcleaning any paint-applying means, which procedure is not only tediousbut time-consuming and costly. The use of new paint-applying elementseach time also has the advantage that the fibers are never matted orclogged, but always in the best possible condition to take up themaximum quantity of paint and to apply it with the greatest efficiencyand facility.

Also, in accordance with the invention, the holder is provided with atray construction comprising a cover part 44 which is secured to theflange portions 30, 32 and which extends along the edge of the holderopposite to the sharp straight edge 24. The cover member 44 thus inconjunction with the holder 24) constitutes an open-sided tray 46 which,as seen in FIG. 9, is disposed to catch drips or running paint from theapplying element 26 when the tool is in use. This avoids messiness andthe dropping or depositing of paint on adjoining surfaces as well as thenecessity for being especially tidy in the use of the tool. The paintwhich collects in the tray 46 may be readily return to the applyingelement 36 by merely positioning the holder 10 downward to allow thepaint to run to the applying element.-

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Herethe holder 50" is a flat piece of rigid plastic substance, having atapered sharpedge 52 and a handle 54 secured adjacent the opposite edge56 and extending angularly from the holder 5%. The holder 59 has a pairof keyhole openings 58 in which are isposed headed studs 69 carried by aplastic base member e2 hav ing painting fibers 64-. The member 62 withthe fibers 64iconstitutes a disposable paint applying element, which issecured to the holder 56 by means of the headed studs- 60 and keyholeopenings 58. As may be readily understood, the paint applying elementmay be easily and quickly removed from the holder 50 and replaced by afresh element each time that a new painting operation is startedl-Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in- FIG. 8, wherein aplastic holder sheet 50a having a tap-' ered or sharpened straight edge52a and a handle 54a removably carries a paint-applying element 66acompris ing fibers 64a carried by an impregnated cloth base 62a.- Theimpregnated cloth base 62a is secured to the plastic holder 58a bypressnresensitive adhesive 63 which may be either in the form of adoublefaced pressure-sensitivetape or else in the form of a coating. Ineither circum-- stance, the pressure-sensitive adhesive forms part ofthe disposable paint-applying element 66a, and the pressure-- sensitiveadhesive provides for an economical construction of the applying elementwhile at the same time it enables such element to be most easily appliedto and secured to the holder 56a, and removed therefrom when a newelement is to be used. Thus, it is not necessary to clean thepaint-applying element 66 or 66a at any time; this tedious,

time-consuming and costly operation is accordingly obviated by theinvention.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

ll. A painters edging tool comprising, in combination:

(a) a holder having a paint-solvent-impervious flat and smooth backingsurface for engagement with a paintapplying element to mount the same,

(b) a flat-sheet-like disposable paint-applying element having fibersprojecting from one side, said element having a paint-solvent-imperviousbarrier extending throughout its area and exposed at the other sidethereof,

(0) paint-solvent-resistant, pressure sensitive adhesive securing thepaint-applying element broadside to the said backing surface in closelyjuxtaposed relation. thereto,

(d) said backing surface and impervious barrier having: large continuousareas of contact with the pressuresensitive adhesive to minimize thelikelihood of any' paint-solvent, to which the paint-applying element:may be subjected, effecting a substantial loosening of the element fromthe backing surface.

2. A painters edging tool as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a double-faced adhesive tape is provided between: the backingsurface and impervious barrier, said. tape having the saidpressure-sensitive adhesive.

3. A painters edging tool as in claim I, wherein:

(a) the paint-applying element includes a flexible sheetlike base,

(b) said impervious barrier comprising an insoluble impregnant appliedto the base.

4. A painters edging tool as in claim 3, wherein:

(a) the said flexible sheet-like base comprises cloth,

and

(b) the insoluble impregnant comprises an epoxy substance.

5. A painters edging tool as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the holder includes a metal sheet having the backing surface,

(13) one edge of the metal sheet being coextensive With an edge of thepaint-applying element,

(c) a plastic tape is provided on the said one edge of 10 the metalsheet, said tape covering the exposed edge portion of the sheet.

6. A painters edging tool as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the solvent-impervious barrier comprises a smoothsurface plasticsheet to which the said fibers of the 15 paint-applying element aresecured. 7. A painters edging tool as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the said barrier comprises a continuous coating of insoluble plasticsubstance on the said other side of the paint-applying element.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) a tray is provided on the holder, to catch paint drippings when theholder is held vertically with the paint-applying element uppermost.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 511,812 l/1894Spence 15--221 2,915,767 12/1959 Vaughan 15167 3,117,334 1/1964 Irnhof15-210 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

L. G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PAINTER''S EDGING TOOL COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A HOLDERHAVING A PAINT-SOLVENT-IMPERVIOUS FLAT AND SMOOTH BACKING SURFACE FORENGAGEMENT WITH A PAINTAPPLYING ELEMENT TO MOUNT THE SAME, (B) AFLAT-SHEET-LIKE DISPOSABLE PAINT-APPLYING ELEMENT HAVING FIBERSPROJECTING FROM ONE SIDE, SAID ELEMENT HAVING A PAINT-SOLVENT-IMPERVIOUSBARRIER EXTENDING THROUGHOUT ITS AREA AND EXPOSED AT THE OTHER SIDETHEREOF, (C) PAINT-SOLVENT-RESISTANT, PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVESECURING THE PAINT-APPLYING ELEMENT BROADSIDE OF THE SAID BACKINGSURFACE IN CLOSELY JUXTAPOSED RELATION THERETO, (D) SAID BACKING SURFACEAND IMPERVIOUS BARRIER HAVING LARGE CONTINUOUS AREAS OF CONTACT WITH THEPRESSURESENSITIVE ADHESIVE TO MINIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ANYPAINT-SOLVENT, TO WHICH THE PAINT-APPLYING ELEMENT MAY BE SUBJECTED,EFFECTING A SUBSTANTIAL LOOSENING OF THE ELEMENT FROM THE BACKINGSURFACE.